A leading architectural historian and BBC TV presenter who has scaled some of Britain’s greatest buildings is to give a free public lecture at the University of Lincoln, UK.

Dr Jonathan Foyle will explain how interdisciplinary research is used to find meaning in the design and materials of puzzling historic objects in the latest instalment of the University’s Great Minds series of lectures.

He will present his guest lecture, 'Cracking the codes: understanding historic objects through research, science and intuition', on Wednesday 18th March 2015. The event will take place at the EMMTEC building on the University’s Brayford Campus, with registration at 5.30pm. Admission is free but booking is essential.

“Uncovering the meaning behind some of our greatest historical treasures is hugely important, helping to bring to life some of the most important historical figures and buildings. It often takes contributions from experts across a wide range of disciplines to get an accurate and full picture of what we are looking at,” said Dr Foyle.

“During the talk we will explore how such research practices have recently been used to identify the state bed of Henry VII, and how that in turn offered insights to a new book on the evolution of Lincoln Cathedral.”

Dr Foyle trained as an architect and art historian and holds a doctorate in archaeology. He developed a practical knowledge of major and minor historical monuments, first as an assistant surveyor of Canterbury Cathedral, and then as buildings curator at Hampton Court Palace and Kew Palace where he served for eight years.

He has also oversaw major conservation, restoration and interpretive projects across Britain at Coventry Cathedral, Stowe House, St George’s Bloomsbury and many other historic sites in his former role as CEO of World Monuments Fund Britain.

He has taught and lectured internationally, and is currently a Visiting Professor at the University of Lincoln. As a champion of interdisciplinary academic studies, he has two monographs on Canterbury and Lincoln cathedrals due to be published in spring 2015. He also writes regularly for The Financial Times.

Previous Great Minds speakers include the multi-award-winning John Hurt, the Olympian and sports broadcaster Steve Cram, Senior Curator at the Natural History Museum Dr Mark Spencer, and leader of the Red Arrows, ‘Red 1’ Squadron Leader David Montenegro.

To register for Dr Jonathan Foyle’s talk, or find out more about upcoming events at the University of Lincoln, visit www.lincoln.ac.uk/events